Quality control is an important aspect of the supply chain for most manufacturers, so it is not surprising that more of them are looking for their parts, panels, and subassemblies to be UL certified. A Wisconsin manufacturer of automatic drilling units and contract machining services was losing sales because they could not UL certify their products.

“It started with a conversation at an IBAW (Independent BusinessAssociation of Wisconsin) event,” explains Gross Automation CEO BobGross. “We were talking about the challenges our businesses face and we found a way to help each other succeed.”

Gross Automation’s engineering service collaborated with their lead engineer to design panels that would meet UL compliance standards. Because of our experience as a distributor, Gross’ engineers were able to help spec out parts including motor control assemblies and power supplies that would work with their design, be UL compliant, and be cost-efficient.

Today’s product not only meets UL standards, it is more compact and costs less to manufacture. The partnership takes advantage of what both businesses do best:

• The manufacturer buys many of the parts for the product from Gross – motor control assemblies and power supplies, for example.

• They build the units.• Gross’ UL 508 certified panel shop tests and provides the UL certification for each panel.

Instead of having to take the time and expense to develop their own UL certified panel shop, this manufacturer was able to partner with GrossAutomation to help win new business that they would not otherwise have been qualified for.